Dump trailer fluid check

[Ronsway]

I have a small single axle 4X8 dump trailer. The pump, hydraulics, and battery are under the bed. How do you check the hydraulic fluid? To get to the pump and tank I have to raise the bed. Normally you want all hydraulics relaxed to check fluid level. There is a dip stick on the cap for the reservior with a low and full mark. I am not sure where the bed should be to check. All the way up or up just enough to reach. Also do you check it with cap threaded all the down or just resting.

 

[BlueKnife]

Many of those have a translucent plastic tank. Does yours?

 

[4570Man]

Does the bed go all the way up without starving for fluid? If so I’d leave it alone.

 

[Ronsway]

The pump, tank, & valve are one unit. Tank is metal. It does go up (without load). My concern is that it has been sitting for several years. I just don't want to get it loaded and then not be able to dump.

 

[LittleBill21]

put it fully up, then check the level, when its up, it will be at its lowest point., how exactly do you plan to fill it in the down position anyway?

 

[4570Man]

put it fully up, then check the level, when its up, it will be at its lowest point., how exactly do you plan to fill it in the down position anyway?

The problem is those electric pumps don’t have much reserve. If you overfill the tank when the bed is up it will at minimum blow fluid everywhere when it comes back down. It could explode the tank if it doesn’t vent fast enough.

 

[LittleBill21]

The problem is those electric pumps don’t have much reserve. If you overfill the tank when the bed is up it will at minimum blow fluid everywhere when it comes back down. It could explode the plastic tank if it doesn’t vent fast enough.

I own one, as long as your above the low line your fine.

 

[Ronsway]

Now you see my problem....

 

[4570Man]

The pump, tank, & valve are one unit. Tank is metal. It does go up (without load). My concern is that it has been sitting for several years. I just don't want to get it loaded and then not be able to dump.

It takes the same amount of fluid to dump loaded or empty. If it doesn’t run out empty and it doesn’t leak it will be fine.

 

[Ronsway]

What about when you check it - do you leave the cap set on top of the treads or thread down?

 

[LittleBill21]

Now you see my problem....

yea your overthinking it, I just ran mine through a cycle, it barely moved a inch in the tank, its a kti on a 4.5 x8 dump.

its a bit over half full

 

[Ronsway]

Thanks

 

[woody]

My dump trailer has a safety bar to hold the bed up you need to use it while putting anything under the bed of the trailer.

 

[BrkMstr]

If you can go to the manufactures web the manual will advise how to check, many will be checked with the bed at the safety bar / lock position, the recommended fluid level would be allocated at that height - I'm assuming yours is power up gravity down - when it's up if there is no seal leaks, ground spotting, and the operation is normal - you do not have a problem - some of the older ones required removing a plug or a line to see the flow height - if you do not have the manufacture info stop by a dealer that sells dumps, bring a pitcher show them what you have, when I was in the industry we were happy to help people out...

 

[LD1]

If you are unsure and dont mind a little mess....raise it up, put some oil in it....leave fill cap off, lower trailer. If oil pukes out....raise it back up and put cap back on. You just puked out enough oil that now its at its fullest point.

 

[Sodo]

LD1 that would do it!

Maybe there's a way to dipstick it when it's down with a curved wire.

Could just raise it full up, and note that it doesn't starve. (or maybe it does?)
Look in the tank, is there inches of volume? If yes, add an inch and you're even gooder than when it "didn't starve".